Response letter from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist

[mack69]

Just got this response back from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist regarding a message I sent him about the AWB ban and the 2A.

Dear Mack:
Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on the semi-automatic assault weapon ban. It is an honor to serve you in the Senate and a privilege to respond to your concerns.

Gun control is a controversial issue. People acting in good faith will very often disagree on the most effective way to address violent crime while recognizing the rights of law abiding gun owners, and I respect the diversity of views on this important matter.

I have long believed that further federal regulation of gun ownership is not the best answer to preventing violent crime, and I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Our enemy is the criminal, not the weapon. A person intent on committing a violent crime will not be stopped by more gun control laws. Instead, Congress and the States should work to ensure that violent crimes are vigorously prosecuted, to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and to better enforce our existing laws. Through this common sense approach, we can continue to reduce violent crime across the nation and protect the rights of law abiding gun owners.

Again, thank you for contacting me. As the Senate continues to face many complex and challenging issues, I hope you will continue to give me the benefit of your thoughts and advice.

Sincerely,
William H. Frist, M.D.
Majority Leader
United States Senate

 

[thumbtack]

Well the AWB is an existing law right now does he support that?

 

[neoncowboy]

I got exactly the same e-mail this morning.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Perfect fence-straddling.

What is he, a politician?

Oh, yeah, that's right -- he is.

 

[hso]

I guess if you all were constituants like I am you might have gotten a more definitive response.

I've corresponded with Dr. Frist for the past few years on this issue at every turn where legislation was proposed or pending. He has responded in every case. He has resonded that there is no statistical evidence that gun control contributes to public health. He has responded that gun control does not have a positive impact on crime. He has responded that "Trojan Hourse" gun-control legislation hidden in unrelated important legislation is inappropriate.

I have phrased each correspondance carefully and been very narrow and specific about the issue I was concerned about. He has, to date, sent responses that were logical and well thought out and supportive of RKBA.

 

[ssr]

Hmmm. None of the response you have stated, though, have said whether he is for or against or would vote for or against the Semi-Auto Ban.

 

[geekWithA.45]

What're we? Alzheimer's Victims?

Didn't Frist just spend all sorts of political capital just a few weeks back to keep DiFi's pet project off the senate floor, and out of the lawsuit bill?

Based on that, I'd say he's at least weakly on our side.

 

[TimRB]

All I know is that the responses I've gotten from *my* Senator, Dianne Feinstein, don't sound anything like this one.

Tim

 

[Sisco]

Does his voting record back up his statements?
I've gotten much the same reply from my senators, they do vote 2nd.

 

[antsi]

Guys, listen - Bill Frist is not the problem.

If we had 100 Bill Frists in the Senate, we would be sitting pretty for RKBA.

If we could elect a Frist clone in my state (Illnoise), I would be thrilled.

 

[hso]

Yes, Dr. Frist did spend all sorts of PERSONAL political capital by violating recent Senate tradition by blocking an attempt by Senator Feinstein to introduce another AWB. He personally used his position to limit what ammendments could be added (making the anits furious) and then loaded those open slots himself (making many more collegues with pet pork furious). This is the big "filling the amendment tree" hubub that was in the news a few weeks ago.

If you want to bash Dr. Frist on AWB and on RKBA you're going to have to dig to have anything critical to say.

 

[j.wise]

He didn't say anything specific about the AWB because that was a form response he sends to anyone asking about gun control in general. I'm sure he'd send the same to someone asking him to SUPPORT the AWB extension.

 

[ninenot]

antsi, Al Keyes may be your man.

 

[Bainx]

Not meaning to sound critical of my Senator BUT, he did vote in favor of mandantory child locks on guns during the last AWB attached bill that was snuck in on the gun manufactureres liability ordeal.
I was somewhat peeved.